Boothbay Harbor’s Men’s Night 2023 offered discount shopping and in-store treats in dozens of participating shops and restaurants, with a beautifully lit coastal harbor backdrop contributing to the merriment and holiday spirit. The family-friendly event welcomed gift-seekers and onlookers for last-minute holiday deals, ushered into stores by Santa himself (character actor Jason Sehl).

Stores treated visitors to tasty bites and sips; cookies, cider, cheese hors d'oeuvres, and wine tasting at Eventide. Inside Two Salty Dogs, chocolate lab Marz (short for Marzipan) scattered an array of toys on the floor, ready to play with any visiting dog. Stores sold creative stocking stuffers and fun gifts for under $20. To help men shop for the women in their lives, Log Cabin Shoes had joyfully curated pedicure spa baskets with house slippers, fuzzy socks, lotions and scrubs, packaged and ready to go.

“We’ve done Men’s Night every year, we’ve always had people looking forward to it,” said Steve Madden, owner of Mung Bean.

“It’s a really fun night, lots of stores are open, and the weather is great,” said James Shive, while stocking up on gifts in Janson’s Clothing Store. Outside the store, Boothbay Region High School’s senior class sold chili, nachos and sweet treats raising money for Project Graduation, offered a 50/50 raffle and a fuel raffle sponsored by Colby & Gale. BRHS Cheerleaders sold swag (from Boothbay Harbor Apparel) and hot chocolate, raising money for uniforms and cheer camp.

Not all shopkeepers and store owners are ready themselves for the holiday. “I have only one present bought,” said Josh Puchalski of Farm23.

“It’s the 13th. I know I have at least a week and a half before I have to start shopping,” joked Dan Pangburn, co-owner of Footbridge Brewery.

One of the event’s best attractions are the window displays and festive showcases. Ornate winter wonderlands, Dickensian dramas, hypnotizing peppermints, pyramids of beer barrels, a giant Christmas moose, and sparkling one-of-a-kind handmade jewelries, ornaments and housewares – evoked the nostalgia that comes with the holiday season.